title: Changes in CB(1) and CB(2) receptors in the post-mortem cerebellum of humans affected by spinocerebellar ataxias.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a family of chronic progressive neurodegenerative diseases, clinically and genetically heterogeneous, characterized by loss of balance and motor coordination due to degeneration of the cerebellum and its afferent and efferent connections. Unlike other motor disorders, the possible role of changes in the endocannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of SCAs has not been investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The status of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1 ) and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2 ) receptors in the post-mortem cerebellum of SCA patients and controls was investigated using immunohistochemical procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunoreactivity for the CB1 receptor, and also for the CB2 receptor, was found in the granular layer, Purkinje cells, neurons of the dentate nucleus and areas of white matter in the cerebellum of SCA patients at levels notably higher than controls. Double-labelling procedures demonstrated co-localization of CB1 and, in particular, CB2 receptors with calbindin, supporting the presence of these receptors in Purkinje neurons. Both receptors also co-localized with Iba-1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the granular layer and white matter areas, indicating that they are present in microglia and astrocytes respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate that CB1 and CB2 receptor levels are significantly altered in the cerebellum of SCA patients. Their identification in Purkinje neurons, which are the main cells affected in SCAs, as well as the changes they experienced, suggest that alterations in endocannabinoid receptors may be related to the pathogenesis of SCAs. Therefore, the endocannabinoid system could provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of SCAs and its progression.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids 2013. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-6.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Cueto
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benito
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Ruiz
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Mariluz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernández-Gálvez
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gómez-Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020754:Spinocerebellar Ataxias / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
keywords: CB1 and CB2 receptors; Purkinje neurons; cannabinoids; cerebellum; endocannabinoid system; spinocerebellar ataxias